How Cosequin DS Works

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How Cosequin DS Works

by Allison Thompson

In this article we will take a look at how Cosequin DS works and how it can be beneficial to your dog's quality of life.

Cosequin DS is a combination of three ingredients which are Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride and Manganese Ascorbate. They work together and so maintain the structure of a dog's joint cartilage whilst slowing down the enzymes which would normally break this cartilage down. The DS stands for Double Strength, these supplements are designed for large dogs over 25lbs. For smaller dogs the standard Cosequin is sufficient.

Firstly the Glucosamine Hydrochloride which is contained in the Cosequin DS supplement acts as a building block for the cartilage by supplying it with a key nutrient which will keep the cells of the cartilage healthy and working properly. It has been shown that the 99% pure glucosamine contained in Cosequin DS is absorbable by dogs easily.

Secondly the Chondroitin Sulfate is a nutrient which blocks the enzymes that will break down the cartilage in the dog's joints. Because of its low molecular weight and can only be found in its most purest form in Cosequin DS this has also been found to be easily absorbable by dogs and will also accumulate in a dog's body if it is continuously administrated to them.

Finally we come to the Manganese Ascorbate this is a very essential part of the Cosequin DS supplement as it helps to optimize the production of cartilage components.

As the cartilage is a slippery but resilient tissue which is produced and maintained by its own cells and is there to cushion the surface where two or more bone joints meet. So it in fact forms a flexible joint and unfortunately when a dog is in motion i.e., running then they are putting tremendous pressure on to these joints. Unfortunately the cartilage does not have its own blood supply and in order for nutrients to get into it they must pass through the surrounding tissue. It is vital that these nutrients pass through to the cartilage cells in order to provide the components which are necessary to maintain a very healthy cartilage structure for the dog.

Scientists are still unsure as to what factors actually cause a dog's cartilage to breakdown. By they have discovered that enzymes play quite a major role in this process. Also age, injury or the dog being over active will also increase the breakdown process against the process of the cartilage actually being replaced in the joints. What this then happens is the dog's joints become less flexible and find it more difficult to move around.